British Value Statement
At Lexden Primary School we value the diversity of backgrounds of all pupils, families and the wider school community.
The Department for Education states that there is a need:
“To create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs”.
The Department for Education defines British Values as follows:
- Respect for democracy and support or participation in the democratic process
- Respect for the basis on which the law is made and applies in England
- Support for equality of opportunity for all
- Support and respect for the liberties of all within the law
- Respect for and tolerance of different faiths and religious and other beliefs
Our school reflects British values in all that we do. We aim to nurture our children on their journey through life so they can grow into safe, caring, democratic, responsible and tolerant adults who make a positive difference to British society and to the world. We encourage our children to be creative, unique, open-minded and independent individuals, respectful of themselves and of others in our school, our local community and the wider world.
At Lexden, we actively promote British values in the following ways:
Democracy
Our School Council promotes the democratic process – pupils nominate and vote for class representatives for the School Council.
Our marking scheme enables pupils to respond to their learning process. Children create class rules and a class code and adhere to our school Golden Rules. Pupil and Parent/carer questionnaires are completed annually. Children are encouraged to voice their opinions in formal and informal ways (suggestion boxes, questionnaires, petitions).
Tolerance of those of different faith and beliefs. We celebrate major world religion festivals throughout the year. Our RE and SEAL curriculum provides broad and balance learning about the main world religions and reinforce messages of tolerance and respect for others. Each year group visits a place of worship that is important to different faiths at least once a year. We provide resources to ensure that all pupils are effectively integrated into the teaching and learning process and the wider school including those that join us throughout the year and who have English as an additional language. Members of different faiths and religions from our school and community are encouraged to share their knowledge to extend and enhance learning in classrooms. Pupils learn about the contributions to society that people from different ethnic groups have made during Black History Month. Assembly themes explore important aspects of our heritage and other cultures e.g. festival days and music from around the world.
Individual Liberty
Children are provided with boundaries which encourage them to make choices safely. Pupils are encouraged to respectfully express their views and beliefs. Pupils have key roles and responsibilities in school such as Librarians, School Council and House Leaders. Pupils have the opportunity and choice to take part in a wide range of different extra-curricular activities. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our E-Safety and SEAL lessons and at Circle Time. Pupils know who to speak to if they are worried or concerned about themselves or others e.g. safeguarding officers.
Mutual Respect
Pupils work in teams, share ideas in public and show respect for other pupils’ opinions during Circle Time, dedicated weekly PSHE lessons, class assemblies and concerts. Our Golden Rules reinforce mutual respect. All members of the school community treat each other with respect and model tolerance and respect in their behaviour with colleagues and pupils. Pupils work together in different groupings and situations in different lessons and subjects. All pupils participate in live productions and assemblies throughout the year. Staff report any racist, homophobic or bullying incidents in weekly staff meetings.
The Rule of Law
We have clear Golden Rules and expectations for behaviour and a Whistle Blowing Policy which is followed and adhered to by all pupils, staff and parents. Each class has a code of conduct created by pupils in each class at the start of the school year. Whole school assemblies follow a Collective Worship weekly theme and include E-safety, Road Safety, Stranger Danger and Caring for the Environment. Pupils follow, respect and appreciate different rules in different situations – in PE lessons, on trips or visits to different places of worship and interest. Pupils are awarded weekly certificates to recognise hard work and learning achievement. Laws and rules of the class, school and country are reinforced through assemblies and when dealing with behaviour. Visits from authorities such as the Police and Fire Service support learning that we all have responsibilities and that there are consequences when laws are broken. The school supports pupils to regulate their own behaviour and make choices for the well-being of themselves and others.